There is plenty of misinformation out there when it comes to health and wellness, which is why it's important to arm yourself with the facts
*Produced by SilverKris for Kordel’s*
If there’s one noteworthy thing that arose from the pandemic, it was the heightened awareness of one’s health and the need to take better care of ourselves. While women in general tend to be more health-conscious than men – according to the United States Department of Labor, they are the main medical decision makers in the family and surveys done by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) indicate that they are more likely to buy vitamins and supplements compared to men.
In a Singapore context, this plays out similarly, with women having a longer life expectancy than men due to lifestyle choices such as eating less red meat and being less likely to participate in high-risk activities. However, Covid-19 has served as a timely reminder for all of us to make well-being a priority.
Men may have taken a more laissez-faire attitude towards their health in the past, but today’s men are more informed about the benefits of a balanced diet and regular exercise. However, when it comes to nutritional supplements, there are still some gaps in that knowledge. We speak to Mr SL Ho, the leading pharmacist at Kordel’s, to clear up some common misconceptions.
Myth: “Men do not need UV protection because their skin is thicker."
While it’s true that men’s skin is about 20% thicker than women’s, that does not mean they are immune to UV damage caused by the sun. Not only does regular exposure to UV rays result in ageing signs such as wrinkles, dark spots and rough skin, it can also increase your risk of skin cancer. This is especially true for those with fairer skin tones that are prone to sunburn. Apart from being diligent with sunscreen usage, you should also look to supplements such as the Kordel’s UV Shield for Men 30s, which is designed to support your body’s natural immune response against age-related effects of UV exposure.
This daily supplement is formulated using a patented ingredient, Red Orange Complex™, which is obtained from the juice of three pigmented varieties of the Sicilian blood orange – Moro, Tarocco and Sanguinello – grown exclusively in the area surrounding Europe’s most active volcano, Mt. Etna. It is clinically proven to help prevent redness caused by UV radiation by up to 40%, protect skin from UV-induced damage, as well as control hyperpigmentation (melanin production) and premature ageing of the skin.
Myth: "Hair wellness is only for women."
Guys, hands up if you use the same bar of soap for your face, hair and body. While you’re probably not alone, that habit can be detrimental for your hair health. Compared to women, men in general tend not to put too much thought into hair care, eschewing hair spa treatments or even dedicated hair care products. However, that could lead to weak, brittle strands and, over time, premature hair loss.
Kordel’s Hair Growth for Men targets this with a formulation of essential ingredients to help men achieve robust and healthy hair. This includes olive oil, which is rich in antioxidants; Vitamin E and Vitamin K to nourish the hair scalp; biotin, which helps the synthesis of the protein keratin; and phyto-collagen, which supports new collagen formation. The result? A healthy scalp and a head full of thick, lively hair.
Myth: "Stress is not that serious – after all, don't we all need some stress to motivate us in our lives?"
Living in a fast-paced society like Singapore, stress is part and parcel of life here. All the same, it is important to manage that stress because if left unchecked, it can lead to other problems such as heart disease, depression and anxiety as well as gastrointestinal issues. One way to keep your stress level in check is to set aside some quiet time to decompress and stay away from your devices. Whether that is going for a run around the neighbourhood, settling down to listen to your favourite music or simply meditating for 10 to 15 minutes, these small pockets of “me time” can reap big benefits in the long term.
For those who need an added boost, Kordel’s B Stress Less is packed with the complete Vitamin B complex to keep your mind alert and your energy levels up so you can better cope with the busyness of everyday life. It also supports your immune health with Vitamin C and passionflower, a unique ingredient chosen for its mood-enhancing properties. Passionflower helps promote relaxation and supports better sleep.
Myth:"Prostate cancer is only a concern if you have family history."
Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer among men in Singapore. While family history does play a part in increasing one’s risk for prostate cancer, it is not the only factor. Other factors include age, your diet (consuming too much fat and too little fibre), and whether or not you fall under the obesity range. Because it’s not common for men to request for a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test during their health check-ups and the symptoms of prostate cancer rarely show up in the early stages, most patients do not know they have prostate cancer until it has progressed to a later stage.
To cultivate a healthier lifestyle, it’s recommended that you cut down on meat and other animal products, and keep your weight within a healthy range. You can also boost your prostate health with Kordel’s Prostate Health, a standardised herbal extract derived from the berries of the saw palmetto plant, which can help reduce symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Each softgel also contains flaxseed oil and pumpkin seed oil, which provide vital nutritional support for prostate health.
Kordel’s offers a wide range of health-boosting supplements that are backed by the latest research on nutritional healing and disease prevention. Led by a team of pharmacists and grounded in science, Kordel’s is the health and supplements brand you can trust.
For more information on Kordel’s range of men’s health products, click here.
